char·ac·ter
Pronounced:
/ˈkerɪktɚ/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural char·ac·tersMeaning:
1 [count] : the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality —usually singular ▪ He rarely shows his true character—that of a kind and sensitive person. ▪ This is a side of her character that few people have seen. ▪ the different aspects/facets of her character —often used before another noun ▪ Certain character traits are helpful in the teaching profession. ▪ Pride, his one character flaw, caused his downfall.
2 [count] : a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc. —usually singular ▪ the character of the American people ▪ the character of a nation ▪ the French/Japanese/Mexican national character
3 a : a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things [count] ▪ the wine's distinctive character ▪ the unique character of the town/city/region [noncount] ▪ The building is very simple in character. ◊If something is in character with something else, it has the same qualities or characteristics as something else. ▪ This room is not really in character with the rest of the house. b [noncount] : the qualities or characteristics that make something interesting or special ▪ The room lacks character. [=there's nothing special about the room] ▪ Their house has a lot of character.
4 [count] : a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show ▪ The film's main characters are a woman in her late 30s and her elderly neighbor. ▪ She plays the film's lead/main/central character. ▪ a fictional character [=a character in a work of fiction] ▪ a popular cartoon character ▪ the title character of the book Tom Sawyer [=the character named Tom Sawyer] —see also cast of characters at 2cast
5 [count] informal a : a particular type of person ▪ He's a strange/interesting character. b : a person who says or does funny or unusual things ▪ That husband of yours is a real character! ▪ She's quite a character.
6 [noncount] a : the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness ▪ She's a kind and honest person of good character. ▪ They believe that going to church will improve the moral character of their children. ▪ He is admired for his strength of character in stressful situations. ▪ Playing sports is seen as a way to build character in young people. = Playing sports is seen as character-building for young people. ◊A test of (your) character is something that is difficult and that requires you to show that you are a good and emotionally strong person. ▪ These past few days have been a real test of my character. b : the usually good beliefs or opinions that most people have about a particular person ▪ They defended the character [=reputation] of their friend. ▪ an attack on his character
7 [count] : a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing ▪ the Chinese character for “water” ▪ The line is 30 characters long.
2 [count] : a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc. —usually singular ▪ the character of the American people ▪ the character of a nation ▪ the French/Japanese/Mexican national character
3 a : a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things [count] ▪ the wine's distinctive character ▪ the unique character of the town/city/region [noncount] ▪ The building is very simple in character. ◊If something is in character with something else, it has the same qualities or characteristics as something else. ▪ This room is not really in character with the rest of the house. b [noncount] : the qualities or characteristics that make something interesting or special ▪ The room lacks character. [=there's nothing special about the room] ▪ Their house has a lot of character.
4 [count] : a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show ▪ The film's main characters are a woman in her late 30s and her elderly neighbor. ▪ She plays the film's lead/main/central character. ▪ a fictional character [=a character in a work of fiction] ▪ a popular cartoon character ▪ the title character of the book Tom Sawyer [=the character named Tom Sawyer] —see also cast of characters at 2cast
5 [count] informal a : a particular type of person ▪ He's a strange/interesting character. b : a person who says or does funny or unusual things ▪ That husband of yours is a real character! ▪ She's quite a character.
6 [noncount] a : the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness ▪ She's a kind and honest person of good character. ▪ They believe that going to church will improve the moral character of their children. ▪ He is admired for his strength of character in stressful situations. ▪ Playing sports is seen as a way to build character in young people. = Playing sports is seen as character-building for young people. ◊A test of (your) character is something that is difficult and that requires you to show that you are a good and emotionally strong person. ▪ These past few days have been a real test of my character. b : the usually good beliefs or opinions that most people have about a particular person ▪ They defended the character [=reputation] of their friend. ▪ an attack on his character
7 [count] : a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing ▪ the Chinese character for “water” ▪ The line is 30 characters long.
in character, out of character
—used to say that some action or behavior is or is not like someone's usual way of behaving ▪ It was entirely in character for a generous person like her to give him the money. ▪ His rudeness was completely out of character. [=he is not usually rude]